NETGEAR FS116 16 Port Fast Ethernet Switch with Auto Uplink (10/100)

Features

16 ports
Solidly built in small sizes that are easy to position when space is at a premium.
Once you connect the hardware, your switch is operating!
No fan means no noise, which helps maintain a peaceful atmosphere in your busy office.

1 Netgear warranties not being honored!
I purchased a Netgear JFS516 16 Port switch in May 2003. It came with a 2 year warranty. In February 2005 I smelled smoked. The switch burned out. Contacted Netgear warranty support only to learn I need an RMA number to return the switch. But I can't get an RMA number because Netgear runs an automated phone system that routes you to a disconnected number. After two months of trying and sending email messages to their customer support department the problem remains. After 90 days forget about any Netgear product warranty.

2 Low Cost, Works Well
I wanted to upgrade my home network from a 10M/sec hub built into my router to a 100M/sec switch. I probably could have gotten by with an 8 port product, but I've wired up a few outlets to a patch panel and didn't want to have to walk to the basement and patch around as I moved around the house. This 16 port version seemed like a good way to go.

The product is very different styling than other Netgear products I have (not that I cared). It is small, not a much larger profile than the plugs themselves need, and the case is very sturdy and solid. With no fans, it makes no noise. My only negative comment is I would have preferred a standard 19 inch width for rack mounting, but others will prefer this more condense case. Fits on a shelf easy, or you could mount it to the wall with screws on the underside.

And the end result -- much faster home network! This would be a good solution for anyone with a larger home or small office wired network, or someone who hosts LAN parties. 16 ports will connect a lot of people!

3 Fantastic network switch
I had been looking at the FS116 for some time, hoping for the prices to come down. Recently, I was able to get one at a good price from Amazon so I jumped on it.

This switch, unlike many of the Linksys products, is made of *metal*. It is VERY solidly built and quite small - not much taller than the network jacks themselves. It does not have any fans and runs only slightly warm to the touch.

... EVERY port on this device is now uplink capable, not just one port "with a button" as the heading indicates. For me, this was a pleasant surprise as I have several ethernet cables that are designed for uplinking and with this switch, I can use them whenever I need to due to the auto-detection on all 16 ports.

I really like that the LEDs and cables come-out of the front. The trend in consumer level devices is to put the cables on the rear. This does not work for me as I have my "network center" in the basement and all of the cables approach from the front (note, front-connect is how professional-level equipment is built and the fact that the Netgear uses that also harkens to their power-user-level equipment).

Anyway, I have been using this switch transparently for a couple of months now. It functions just as a switch should: without a thought. It just works.

Mike